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Diagnostic Sign (diagnostic + sign)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	80%

Selected Abstracts

Fiberoptic videolaryngoscopy during bicycle ergometry: A diagnostic tool for exercise-induced vocal cord dysfunction

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 9 2009
Hanna Tervonen MD
Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: Exercise-induced vocal cord dysfunction is difficult to diagnose because the paradoxical vocal cord adduction should be observed during exercise. Our goal was to develop and validate a new diagnostic method for exercise-induced vocal cord dysfunction by combining continuous fiberoptic laryngoscopy with a bicycle ergometry test. Methods: Thirty consecutive patients referred to a laryngologist because of suspicion of exercise-induced vocal cord dysfunction and 15 healthy controls underwent the exercise test until dyspnea or exhaustion rated as 18,19/20 on the Borg scale. Laryngeal findings, electrocardiography, blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate were monitored, and forced expiratory flow in the first second was measured before and after the exercise. The medical history was assessed by use of a structured questionnaire. Results: Among the 30 patients, 27 (90%) performed the test successfully, as did all controls. Diagnostic signs of inspiratory stridor, supraglottic collapse, and vocal cord adduction appeared in five (19%) patients but in none of the controls. Of the 30 patients referred, the laryngologist considered 25 to be suspect. Of them, 9 (36%) showed signs diagnostic or highly suspect for exercise-induced vocal cord dysfunction. Of the 15 patients whose dyspnea could be induced during the test, nine (60%) were suspected of having exercise-induced vocal cord dysfunction. Conclusions: Fiberoptic videolaryngoscopy during bicycle ergometry was a well-tolerated and relatively easily established diagnostic tool that could induce dyspnea in more than one half the patients examined. If the symptom of dyspnea appeared, the most frequent diagnosis was exercise- induced vocal cord dysfunction. Laryngoscope, 2009 [source]

Umbilical metastasis from prostate carcinoma (Sister Mary Joseph's nodule): a case report and review of literature

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 7 2007
Bahram Sina
Sister Mary Joseph's nodule is referred to as metastatic lesion of the umbilicus. Most of the tumors are adenocarcinomas originating from gastroenteric and genital tracts. Only rarely were metastases from other locations reported. We describe here an unusual case of a Sister Mary Joseph's nodule that was metastasized from prostate carcinoma 3 years after radiation therapy. The lesion was the first sign of metastatic disease, and the diagnosis was made on skin biopsy. The patient died of extensive metastases of prostate carcinoma 4 months later. We report this case to extend the list of differential diagnosis for Sister Mary Joseph's nodule in male patients and emphasize the importance of Sister Mary Joseph's nodule as an ominous diagnostic sign. [source]

Reduced growth of beard as the only diagnostic sign in a patient with macroprolactinoma

JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
M Steinhoff
[source]

Reduction in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions by non-invasive determination of fetal sex in early pregnancy

PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 12 2005
Jon A. Hyett
Abstract Objective This study reviews our clinical experience of non-invasive techniques for early sex determination. It assesses the effectiveness of these techniques at reducing invasive prenatal testing for X-linked genetic disease or for ambiguous development of the external genitalia. Methods A prospective cohort study of 30 pregnancies was referred to a tertiary unit for prenatal diagnosis. Fetal gender was determined using two non-invasive techniques: analysis of free fetal DNA (ffDNA) in maternal plasma and ultrasound visualisation. The results were compared to fetal gender determined by invasive testing or at birth. Results Fetal gender was accurately determined by analysis of ffDNA at a mean of 10 + 1 (7 + 6 to 14 + 1) weeks' gestation in all cases. Ultrasound assessment was accurate in 20 of the 23 cases where this was attempted at 12 + 0 (10 + 4 to 14 + 1) weeks' gestation, but could not be determined in the remaining 3 cases. Thirteen of 28 (46%) women chose not to have invasive testing on the basis of these findings. Conclusions Both the techniques appear to offer an accurate means of assessing fetal gender, giving parents the option of avoiding invasive testing in the 50% of cases where the fetus would not be affected. The molecular technique is performed at an earlier gestation, but female fetal status is predicted by a negative test result. Ultrasound cannot be applied until 11 weeks' gestation but diagnostic signs are sought in both sexes. Combining these approaches offers a highly sensitive method of non-invasive determination of gender in high-risk pregnancies. Health professionals, clinical geneticists and genetics associates, in particular, who refer women at high risk should be aware of these non-invasive options for prenatal sex determination. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Remembering childhood atopic dermatitis as an adult: factors that influence recollection

BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2006
C. Moberg
Summary Background, Atopic dermatitis (AD) is common in the population, and studies have shown that the disease is on the increase. Studies based on hospital records reflect selected populations and may miss less severe cases of AD, and the use of self-reported questionnaires has the drawback of recall bias. Objectives, To investigate some possible factors influencing recall bias when questionnaires are used to establish the prevalence of childhood eczema in an adult population. Methods, A questionnaire regarding past and present eczema was sent to 557 cases (with signs suggesting the diagnosis AD) and 554 matched controls (subjects lacking signs of AD) born during 1960,1969 and identified in school health medical records. Cases and controls were aged 31,42 years at the time of the study and 70·5% returned the questionnaire. Results, Of 403 cases, 29% did not report childhood eczema in the questionnaire. There was a difference between those who did recall their childhood AD (remembering group, RG), and those who did not (forgetful group, FG) in who had documented the diagnostic signs in the school health records. In the RG the signs were reported by both parents and school health personnel in 51% of cases, and in the FG this was true of only 16%. The RG had a higher prevalence of eczema after 15 years of age and of hand eczema. The RG also reported more visits to physicians after the age of 15 years and more time taken as sick leave due to eczema. Conclusions, Several factors influence how well people remember their AD in childhood. These factors include disease activity in adult life, disease severity, and who noticed the eczema in childhood. [source]